The Desolate Beach backdrop

The Desolate Beach

Directed by Tapan Sinha

Starring Anil Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore

A writer meets five widows on a train to Puri. As the six lives begin to intertwine, the theme of the taboos of widowhood emerge; but so, too, does a philosophy of life and hope for the future. The performers collectively won Best Actress at India's National Film Awards in 1964.